Hubert William Rayner
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Hubert William was the son of Joseph, a postmaster, and Annie Emily Rayner (née Thorpe). He was the brother of Allan, Dora and Bertha Rayner. In 1901 the family was living at 16 Bridgegate Retford. By the time of the 1911 Census they had moved to 7 Victoria Parade Oswestry. When Probate was proven at Lancaster (28/12/1917) the family address was Highfield Hest Bank Lancaster. Hubert's effects of £1130 were left to his father.
Hubert joined the Territorial Army in 1910 and after the outbreak of the war served with the 15th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles) which joined the British Expeditionary Force from March 1915. He was Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant with 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in March 1916. He was twice wounded at Festubert. He later joined the 76th Trench Mortar Battery and was promoted to Lieutenant in July 1916. A gas shell hit the entrance to the dugout while he was sleeping inside. He woke suffering distress from the poison fumes and walked to the field dressing station from where he was moved to 142 Field Ambulance where he died the same evening.Favreuil British Cemetery Grave Reference: II B 10
The day before his death, Hubert had written his parents a cheerful and happy letter. The testimony of his comrades was that he was 'one of the best loved and respected by all, one who by his example inspired all men under him.'Information on Hubert Rayner has been provided by Alan Laurie CWGC, Census sheets and Free BMD Birth Index cite Rayner not Raynor
